“I Got One!!”

Yesterday evening just prior to sunset we were watching this black skimmer working the salt marsh doing his thing skimming in and around the reeds in hopes of coming up with a fish. The black skimmers are one of the only birds whose lower portion of it’s mouth is longer then the upper portion, and they use that extended lower section to ‘skim’ the water as their feeding technique. This one last night was super fast, swooping and darting about like a fighter jet on a mission. During one pass it was successful and snagged itself a small fish which it swallowed during mid air flight. It never fails to amaze me that they ever catch a fish as this method appears rather random, but catch fish they do and it’s exciting to see every time!

Stay tuned for another exciting episode of “Marsh Skimmer”…I’ll post more later this week!

68 thoughts on ““I Got One!!””

ericaatje on May 27, 2013 at 2:02 pm said:

Great photos! Never seen this bird before! Thanks for sharing! 😉

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- Phil Lanoue on May 27, 2013 at 2:49 pm said:
  
  Well I’m glad I could introduce you to a new bird and I’m happy you enjoyed these photos!
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
  - ericaatje on May 27, 2013 at 3:17 pm said:
    
    I’m happy too! 😉
    
    LikeLike
    
    Reply ↓
    - Phil Lanoue on May 27, 2013 at 3:30 pm said:
      
      Excellent! 😀
      
      LikeLike
      
      Reply ↓
      - ericaatje on May 28, 2013 at 4:25 am said:
        
        😉
        
        LikeLike
        
        Reply ↓
zannyro on May 27, 2013 at 2:26 pm said:

Absolutely fantastic series!

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- Phil Lanoue on May 27, 2013 at 2:49 pm said:
  
  Thanks very much I appreciate it!
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
  - zannyro on May 27, 2013 at 2:58 pm said:
    
    Just awesome!
    
    LikeLike
    
    Reply ↓
    - Phil Lanoue on May 27, 2013 at 3:26 pm said:
      
      😀
      
      LikeLike
      
      Reply ↓
meyer23 on May 27, 2013 at 2:35 pm said:

Fantastic series. Perfectly timed.

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- Phil Lanoue on May 27, 2013 at 2:49 pm said:
  
  Thanks for the kind comments!
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
janmasyn on May 27, 2013 at 2:56 pm said:

Absolutely great shots Phil, your timing was perfect.

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- Phil Lanoue on May 27, 2013 at 3:26 pm said:
  
  Thanks very much Jan I appreciate you looking and commenting.
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
einfachtilda on May 27, 2013 at 2:57 pm said:

Fantastic photos, a beautiful soft light!

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- Phil Lanoue on May 27, 2013 at 3:27 pm said:
  
  Thank you very much, the light is very nice that time of evening. 🙂
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
Gunta on May 27, 2013 at 3:12 pm said:

It appears that you’re having way too much fun. Great shots, as usual, Phil!

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- Phil Lanoue on May 27, 2013 at 3:28 pm said:
  
  I did get juuuust a bit excited out there last night when this skimmer appeared out of nowhere and decided to put on a show for us. I got lot more pics too. Thanks for checking these out!
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
mike585 on May 27, 2013 at 3:19 pm said:

Nice light, Phil.

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- Phil Lanoue on May 27, 2013 at 3:29 pm said:
  
  The next few evenings will be golden time out there. It’s when low tide in the salt marsh occurs in early evening when the light is the best and because low tide often brings out the action.
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
lylekrahn on May 27, 2013 at 3:48 pm said:

I read your title and decided you were wrong. Every time you post something you have got another one! Another great one.

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- Phil Lanoue on May 27, 2013 at 4:24 pm said:
  
  Well thanks very much I really appreciate the kind comments!
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
Deb W. Trotter on May 27, 2013 at 3:53 pm said:

Gorgeous bird, gorgeous shots! Love the evening light.

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- Phil Lanoue on May 27, 2013 at 4:24 pm said:
  
  Thanks Deb, we were happy the skimmer showed up last night while there was just enough light left to get some shots. 🙂
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
Kitt Crescendo on May 27, 2013 at 4:25 pm said:

Nothing like a successful fly by. 🙂

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- Phil Lanoue on May 28, 2013 at 3:49 pm said:
  
  Absolutely! It’s the only way to travel and dine at the same time. 😀
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
thecasualrider on May 27, 2013 at 4:40 pm said:

Enjoyed the timing of this sequence, and the skimmer’s reflection in the water. So pretty.

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- Phil Lanoue on May 28, 2013 at 3:49 pm said:
  
  Well I’m happy you enjoyed these, thanks.
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
Gareth Rasberry on May 27, 2013 at 6:34 pm said:

Very good, Phil! Cool shot with the reeds in the picture

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- Phil Lanoue on May 28, 2013 at 3:50 pm said:
  
  Thanks much for checking these out Gareth, thanks!
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
pixelspielerei on May 27, 2013 at 9:15 pm said:

I remain excited about the sequel! ☺

With this number, the skimmer can occur at any circus! 😛

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- Phil Lanoue on May 28, 2013 at 3:51 pm said:
  
  Oh there will be a sequel, maybe tomorrow! 🙂
  This skimmer is a wonderful flyer!
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
Darkhorse3010 on May 27, 2013 at 10:06 pm said:

Very cool, great capture.

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- Phil Lanoue on May 28, 2013 at 3:51 pm said:
  
  Thanks, glad you like them.
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
Garden Walk Garden Talk on May 28, 2013 at 12:09 am said:

Fancy flying and fancy camera work! I will be looking forward to your low tide shots. You get good action all the time though.

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- Phil Lanoue on May 28, 2013 at 3:51 pm said:
  
  Well I truly appreciate the kind words, thanks!
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
Chillbrook on May 28, 2013 at 1:54 am said:

Love the light in this series Phil!

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- Phil Lanoue on May 28, 2013 at 3:51 pm said:
  
  Thanks much Adrian, I appreciate it!
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
Maggie Davey on May 28, 2013 at 5:34 am said:

The way you use the light and the reflections in these pictures are just beautiful, Phil! What a lovely start to my day!

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- Phil Lanoue on May 28, 2013 at 3:52 pm said:
  
  I’m very happy your day started out in a pleasant way Maggie! Thanks
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
Paula on May 28, 2013 at 8:31 am said:

A birdie and its reflection 🙂 Lovely.. though the name is a bit confusing, why is it called a black skimmer?

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- Phil Lanoue on May 28, 2013 at 3:54 pm said:
  
  Glad you enjoyed these Paula!
  Well the ‘skimmer’ part of their name comes from it’s fishing technique of skimming the water for fish. And the older birds have black heads and faces and wing portions. Many bird names make no sense, this one kinda does though. 🙂
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
  - Paula on May 29, 2013 at 2:32 am said:
    
    😀 thanks Phil 🙂
    
    LikeLike
    
    Reply ↓
monisertel on May 28, 2013 at 12:29 pm said:

Great captured, dear Phil,
and amazing reflections!
Wish you a nice day,
moni

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- Phil Lanoue on May 28, 2013 at 3:54 pm said:
  
  Thanks moni I’m glad you liked them!
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
pary880 on May 28, 2013 at 2:30 pm said:

love the sequence…

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- Phil Lanoue on May 28, 2013 at 3:54 pm said:
  
  Thanks for checking these out!
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
Fergiemoto on May 28, 2013 at 2:42 pm said:

Super shots!

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- Phil Lanoue on May 28, 2013 at 3:55 pm said:
  
  Thanks a bunch!
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
Cowboys and Crossbones on May 28, 2013 at 3:52 pm said:

Amazing! I love the mirror reflection from the water. I also kinda wish this is how I was able to eat dinner. No mess with dirty dishes!

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- Phil Lanoue on May 28, 2013 at 3:56 pm said:
  
  Thanks, I’m happy you liked these pics!
  This is about as clean and efficient as the dinner process gets I think.
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
Scott Marshall on May 28, 2013 at 5:09 pm said:

A peach of a sequence

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- Phil Lanoue on May 29, 2013 at 1:45 pm said:
  
  Thanks a million Scott!
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
FeyGirl on May 28, 2013 at 9:43 pm said:

Wow, just stunning…! What a shot.

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- Phil Lanoue on May 29, 2013 at 1:46 pm said:
  
  Thanks very much, glad you enjoyed the pics!
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
Elsa Naumann on May 29, 2013 at 4:09 am said:

Fantastic timing and beautiful light!

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- Phil Lanoue on May 29, 2013 at 1:46 pm said:
  
  Thanks I really appreciate you looking and commenting!
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
niasunset on May 29, 2013 at 6:06 am said:

What amazing moment you captured dear Phil, fascinated me. Thanks and Love, nia

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- Phil Lanoue on May 29, 2013 at 1:47 pm said:
  
  I’m glad you like these Nia, thanks! 🙂
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
Amy on May 29, 2013 at 2:39 pm said:

Stunning capture of the motions, Phil. Especially, the first shot!

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- Phil Lanoue on May 31, 2013 at 4:19 pm said:
  
  Thanks very much Amy I appreciate it!
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
Bella Remy Photography on May 29, 2013 at 7:06 pm said:

These are fantastic Phil ! How lucky you are.

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- Phil Lanoue on May 31, 2013 at 4:19 pm said:
  
  Thanks Emily I really enjoy watching these guys!
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
crazytraintotinkytown on May 30, 2013 at 2:03 am said:

Really stunning Phil

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- Phil Lanoue on May 31, 2013 at 4:19 pm said:
  
  I appreciate the kind words. 🙂
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
Ian Beattie on May 30, 2013 at 10:36 am said:

Stunning series.

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- Phil Lanoue on May 31, 2013 at 4:20 pm said:
  
  Thanks for checking these out and glad you like ’em!
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
adinparadise on May 30, 2013 at 3:56 pm said:

Loved these pics, Phil. They certainly are exciting. 🙂

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- Phil Lanoue on May 31, 2013 at 4:20 pm said:
  
  I greatly appreciate the kind comments Sylvia!
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓